STUDIES & PLANS ENGINEER SQUAD LEADER

Job Responsibilities

This position is accountable for supervising engineers and technicians in preparing design, environmental reports, construction plans, specifications for transportation improvements, reviewing reports, plans and specifications prepared by consultants.

Contract Value:                                     $3 - $40 Million
Annual Public Meetings Conducted:    1-3

This position reports to the Studies and Plans Engineer; however, based on staffing levels and operational needs, the position may report to a Project Engineer, Bridge and Hydraulics Engineer, or Geometrics Engineer. There are no permanent subordinates reporting to this position. Studies and Plans Engineers and Technicians, along with temporary seasonal staff will be assigned as needed on a project basis.

The incumbent will supervise the preparation of reports which describe the scope, location, design, cost, and environmental impact of assigned transportation improvements. The incumbent is responsible for preparing detailed construction plans for projects which are complex and entail difficult or unique features. These projects require a high level of expertise and experience to accomplish. The incumbent may also supervise projects using conventional engineering practices but involving unusual design requirements, experimental or unconventional materials, and difficult coordination. The position is also responsible for tracking and reviewing the work of consultants. S/he will serve as liaison between the department and consultants.

Typical problems include collecting and evaluating data with respect to a wide range of federal, state laws and departmental policies. Other problems include identifying and resolving complex technical problems, completing plans and specifications in time to meet letting deadlines, and ensuring that consultant plans are reviewed so that letting deadlines are met. The greatest challenge for the incumbent to coordinate the efforts of the squad to prepare plans that are cost effective, safety oriented, acceptable to the public, environmentally suitable and aesthetically pleasing.

This position is responsible for identifying and evaluating alternate solutions to transportation problems, collecting data and comparing criteria to determine the scope of work required for the preferred alternative, and obtaining input from other agencies and the public through formal and informal meetings and hearings. The incumbent will also be responsible for contacting individual property owners, presenting projects to federal and state representatives for their comment or approval, determining grade lines, alignments and drainage structure requirements, conducting pavement analysis, reviewing patching surveys, preparing special details for complete designs, and preparing general notes and special provisions. Other responsibilities include calculating or checking the quantities for all pay items, conducting field reviews before, during and after construction, contacting the district Bureau of Project Implementation to keep abreast of current construction methods in materials, complying with the District Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) guidelines in plan preparation, and monitoring assigned consultants for compliance with their QA/QC plan.

Job Responsibilities Continued

The incumbent will accomplish these objectives using permanent and temporary subordinates as assigned. The incumbent has the freedom to resolve problems arising within the area of responsibility. S/he must act within established federal, state, and departmental regulations, policies and procedures. Controversial matters requiring special considerations of deviation from standard policies are discussed with superiors.

There are frequent internal contacts with the district Land Acquisition Section regarding rights of way issues, the district Project Support Section to coordinate utility, railroad and agreement issues, the district Bridge and Hydraulic Unit for drainage concerns, the Geometric Engineer for intersection improvements, and the Environmental Studies Manager for environmental impact considerations, seeding specifications, erosion control and wetland design. External contacts are with the Federal Highway Administration, county and municipal officials and central office personnel. This position requires occasional districtwide and statewide travel, which may include overnight stay and occasional overtime during evenings and weekends. Successful completion of a background check is required.

The effectiveness of this position is measured by the quantity, quality, and timeliness of studies, plans, specifications and estimates prepared by the subordinates and consulting engineers assigned to the incumbent.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Prepares design and environmental reports that assure compliance with state and federal policies.
2. Prepares contract plans and specifications for a cost effective high quality transportation improvement.
3. Reviews reports and plans prepared by consulting engineers.
4. Coordinates public and interagency involvement.
5. Motivates, trains and evaluates subordinate personnel.
6. Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
7. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• Education/Experience
  • Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois PLUS four years of experience in civil engineering.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Occasional districtwide and statewide travel, which may include overnight stay.
• Occasional overtime during evenings and weekends.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Position Desirables

• Skill in the design of highways, streets and structures and in making completed engineering plans and specifications.
• Working knowledge and training in MicroStation.
• Thorough knowledge of departmental policies, procedures and specifications.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative relationships with departmental staff and the public.
• Ability to supervise the work of engineers and technicians.
• Ability to assign, review and coordinate work performed by consultant staff.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.